La Grande volunteers report over 120 trees planted for 2023
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Urban Forestry may sound like a contradictory phrase, but it is an essential part of city and environmental upkeep. Taking care of trees, and planting new ones, are what help keep urban communities environmentally healthy as well as aesthetically pleasing. Thankfully, the city of La Grande doesn’t slouch in this department.
La Grande Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division recently announced that, in conjunction with the Grow La Grande volunteers, 124 new trees were planted across the city. This includes trees planted in neighborhoods, parks, and green spaces. Teresa Gustafson, Urban Forester for the city of La Grande, gave the following statement in recognition of this achievement:
“Trees make La Grande a beautiful, healthy place to live. The community forest provides clean air and water, cooler streets and homes, and wildlife habitat. Trees give us that essential connection to nature that improves our health and well-being. Money does grow on trees with increased property values and energy savings! The goal of the La Grande Urban Forestry Division is to plant a minimum of 100 shade trees each year in the city. In 2023, the Grow La Grande volunteers donated 195 hours of their time to plant trees in our neighborhoods, parks and greenspaces. With their help, the city has added over 1700 trees to the community forest since 2007.
